A bill being considered in the Colorado legislature would require DNA testing for people convicted of some misdemeanor crimes

A bipartisan bill requiring mandatory DNA testing on people convicted of some misdemeanors in Colorado passed out of the state Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.

Proponents of the bill say collecting and logging DNA into the state database will help solve cold cases, lower the number of repeat offenders and aid in exonerations. But concerns about privacy had others in stern opposition.

Senate Bill 75 passed on a 3-2 vote out of the judiciary committee — the same committee where a similar measure died last year.

The bill now moves into the Senate Finance Committee.

Under the legislation, DNA information will be logged into the state database for anyone convicted of third-degree assault, child abuse, violation of a protection order and harassment. The requirement will also apply to people who are convicted of menacing, reckless endangerment and criminal mischief in domestic violence cases.

Under current law, DNA testing is mandatory for people convicted of felonies and sexual assault cases.

Two of the bill's sponsors, Sens. Mike Johnston, D-Denver, and John Cooke, R-Greeley, said people convicted of the misdemeanors listed in the bill are more likely to commit more violent, higher-level crimes. Expanding the database will help investigators stop criminals before they hurt or sexually assault multiple victims, they said.

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"Government has a duty to protect," said Cooke, who is also a member of the judiciary committee. "Now we have an opportunity to protect and prevent future violent crimes against our constituents."

Survivors of sexual assault, victims' advocates and prosecutors — including Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey — testified in favor of the bill.

Denise Maes, of the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado, was the only person to testify against the bill. She said the current system of DNA collection has not properly been studied and expanding the database would be an intrusion of privacy.

"Once your DNA is in the system, the government holds your genetic blueprint forever," Maes said.

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